March 4, 2012

BINGHAMTON, NY — With just over 13 weeks left before Round 1, a press conference was called to discuss the golf tournament and status of preparations. The Chairman, Greg Long, led the press conference at the temporary Carl Spackler Open Media tent and stage in downtown Binghamton, NY at the lovely Riverwalk Hotel & Conference Center.

"Welcome to the 12th Carl Spackler Open. The event sure has selected a great venue this year. I am personally excited to return myself to Conklin, NY.

We have a very different field of players going to the Conklin Players Club this year with just 57 returning golfers," said Long referring to returning golfers from June 2011.

"The decrease in the number of players attending will translate into less control of the golf course, but more camaraderie at the event. There has been quite the turnover in attendance in 2012. There are just 29 core golfers attending this year who were associated with the event 6 years ago. There are 14 golfers attending their first or second year.

There has not been many changes to the overall itinerary or format since first designed in September 2011. The start times for Saturday will most likely be changed to a later start time with less golfers."

[Scott Miller interrupts.]

"Things have been very quiet this winter," says senior member Scott Miller. "Do you feel the same way?"

Long shook his head and said, "Yes. The Binghamton venue is very straight forward. The hotel is large, breakfast and dinner have a perfect setup, airport and golf course transporation is excellent, nightly entertainment is within walking distance of the hotel, and golf course is on their game. This is the simpliest venue to organize in 12 years."

Jim English asked, "This year's trip fee is $435. That is the highest that I have paid. Is this the new standard?"

Long replied, "Probably not. Binghamton appears to be very expensive because it is expensive. We are staying in the nicest hotel in 12 years, sleeping in downtown Binghamton within walking distance of nightspots, and the golf course is super nice. There is a lot more money being spent at the hotel and golf course this year. The chances of the fee dropping in 2013 is probable."

Marty Zabonik asked, "What should I expect at Conklin Players Club?"

Long replied, "The opposite of Mountain Valley except for the hills and mountains.

The conditions at Conklin Players Club during the catastrophic Binghamton flood in September 2011 would still be the best in our 12 year history. The place is conditioned better than most private courses. That is a pretty bold statement, but believe it to be accurate. The pride the owners take in the conditions are very noticable.

The greens have the classic 80-year old circle design. The event will experience its first island green hole. The course has manicured rough and space for spraying the ball. There are several blind shots like the 18th hole of the Mountain Course at Mountain Valley, which makes the practice round important. There are several unique holes and spectacular views from the 17th and 18th tee boxes.

"I started an opinionated mathematic grading system a few years ago to rank the courses and special holes played," says Greg Long. "The words, 'Top 10 ever played' needed credibility."

"Conklin Players Club as a public golf course is tied for the 2nd best ever played within the Spackler budget," says Long. "It is tied with five other courses (including the Grande in Michigan) due to its extreme conditioning and unique holes; only Poplar Grove is graded higher."

Long added, "The 10th hole at Conklin Players Club is tied for 9th best hole ever played with 15 other holes including the 5th at South Padre Island, 14th at Neuse, and 6th at Poplar Grove. The island green with meticulous manicuring of shrubs, flowers, and island sand trap are rare beauty at a reasonably priced public golf course."

The 18th hole at Conklin Players Club is tied for 25th best hole with 35 other holes. The backdrop at the 18th hole is so beautiful it will demand a photograph. The largest bunker on the course makes the hole very strategic and special.

The 8th hole at Conklin Players Club is ranked 63rd with 37 other holes. It is a replica of the 7th hole at Rock Hollow, but turns right instead of left.

The golf carts have gps yardage and hole mapping. The cart paths have tall curbs and very strict cart rules that are enforced. The curbs are a large reason for the stellar conditions. The owners live on the 9th tee box in a brand new miniature Luxor Resort Hotel & Casino. The course owner designed the pyramid home and golf course.

The biggest two problems with the golf course in respects to our event are the yardage options and practice green. The tee box yardages are 6,100 or 6,800. The Spackler tee markers are very important this year. The practice putting green is the smallest in 12 years."

Zabonik replied, "Good stuff. The pictures represent a nice golf course."

Long replied, "For some reason, my annual scouting trips consistently surface the best weather on the planet no matter the year. This great weather translates into great course pictures.

Depending on your interest, take a look at a zoomed-in satellite view of the golf course using google.com. The southwest corner is the highest point and it is very high in elevation. The southeast corner is the lowest point. The mountain drops in elevation slowly from the southwest corner in a clockwise direction."

Bill Bateson asked, "What is up with nightly fun?"

Long replied, "There are a dozen options in downtown Binghamton. I will be working with several vendors including our hotel and Matt Mogel this spring. There are very strong possibilities, but nothing has been decided upon yet."

Long finished by saying, "I will be back next month for another press conference. See you then."

The 2012 Carl Spackler Open will host its player meeting on Wednesday evening after the practice round. Dinner WILL NOT be provided, however will be available through the clubhouse. Bag storage will be executed between the practice round and player meeting.